Invertebrate Diversity In Old-Field Sites In Southwest Michigan: Assessment of Indicator Taxa and Examination of Ecological Correlates of Diversity
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Authors
Waller, Joseph T.
Issue Date
2005
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Quantifying and cataloguing invertebrate diversity is important for understanding
the ecosystems that exist around us. It is also of pressing importance to examine the
relationship of invasive species on the ecosystems in which they exist. In this study
invertebrate diversity was examined in old-field sites in southwest Michigan using pitfall
trapping. of 220 different morphospecies identified, the most common included
springtails and sowbugs, while the most widespread included springtails and
Aphaenogaster ants. The effectiveness of using ants, spiders, and beetles as indicator
taxa for greater insect and invertebrate diversity was examined at old-field sites in
southwest Michigan. Beetles were found to be superior as indicators due to their high
correlation to greater insect and invertebrate diversity as well as their ease in collection
and identification. Neither plant richness nor plant height was found to be significantly
correlated to invertebrate richness. The density of infestation of the invasive forb
'Centaurea maculosa', commonly known as spotted knapweed, was compared to plant
height, plant species richness, and invertebrate species. No significant relationship was
found between density of Centaurea maculosa infestation and invertebrate or plant
species richness.
Description
vi, 31 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.